The Opp 8U All-Stars didn’t go down easily, but fell in both games during Friday’s Cal Ripken Alabama State Tournament in Opp.

WESTSIDE 13, OPP 3

In the opening game of the state tournament for Opp, the 8U Bobcats fought hard but fell 13-3 to Westside on Friday in Opp.

Opp’s Cash Harrell picked up a one-out single to get things started for the Bobcats.

A few batters later, Bank Johnson ripped a single that moved Harrell around to second.

The 8U Bobcats looked like they might take an early lead when Clay Kyser laced ball to center, but a heads-up Westside defense fired the ball into second for the third out of the frame.

Westside went to work at the plate and pushed across three runs on three hits. Westside nearly added another run in the frame, but the Bobcats made a strong throw home to cut down a potential run for the final out of the inning.

Opp had solid contact in the top of the second inning, but Westside’s defense managed to retire the Bobcats in order.

In the bottom of the second inning, Westside’s bats picked right back up where they left off as they took an 8-0 lead.

Opp got a one-out single from D.J. Hines in the top of the third inning, but were unable to push him around to score.

Westside put the Bobcats on the ropes as they pushed across three more runs for an 11-0 lead.

Needing to score at least two runs to keep the game going, the Bobcats went to work in the top of the third inning.

Brody Ellis started off the inning with a drive to right field for a single.

Harrell followed with a line drive to center field, but Westside was able to track down the ball for the first out of the inning.

With two outs in the inning, Johnson gave Opp runners on the corners when he reached on a single.

The Bobcats got on the board when Kyser drove in Ellis with a single.

Dawson Cox followed with a single of his own to cut the Westside lead down to 11-2.

Opp wasn’t going to go away without a fight as a third straight single from Tate Hall drove in another Bobcat run.

Opp got a pair of ground outs from Westside to start the bottom of the fourth before a double gave them a runner in scoring position.

The next batter hit a looping line drive that seemed destined to find the outfield grass, but instead Cam James came sliding in out of nowhere to haul in the ball for the final out of the inning.

James singled with two-outs in the top of the fifth inning, but Opp wasn’t able to push him around.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Westside added two runs to pick up a 13-3 victory.

PHENIX CITY 8, OPP 5

In the final game Friday night, Opp grabbed an early lead but couldn’t hold off a late rally by Phenix City as they fell 8-5.

Harrell got things going with a one-out single to left field to start things off in the top of the first.

A few batters later, Harrell was able to score off an error to put Opp on top 1-0.

The first Phenix City batter hit a line drive to Porter Nelson at third who then fired to Johnson for the first out.

James then made a diving grab in center for the second out before Nelson ended the inning by snagging a line drive.

The Bobcats got back-to-back singles from Jay Crittenden and Parker Baker to start the top of the second inning.

Ty Lashley followed with a single up the middle of the diamond to put Opp on top 3-0.

Phenix City got a few base runners in the bottom of the second inning, but strong defense for the Bobcats kept them off the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the third inning, Phenix City took advantage of a few errors to take a 5-3 lead.

Opp got a run back in the top of the fifth inning when Ellis drove in James with a fielder’s choice.

Phenix City added three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, Nelson led off the inning with a rocket down the first base line and into the corner for a triple.

Johnson followed with a single up the middle that allowed Ellis to score with ease.

The Bobcats continued to put the bats on the ball, but were unable to overcome the Phenix City lead.